A09417:107
A faithful and plain exposition upon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reverend…A faithfull and plaine exposition vpon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reuerend…
A faithful and plain exposition upon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reverend and judicious divine, M.W. Perkins. Containing a powerful exhortation to repentance: as also the manner how men in repentance are to search themselves. Published by a preacher of the word. With a preface prefixed, touching the publishing of M. Perkins his works. And a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.A faithfull and plaine exposition vpon the 2. chapter of Zephaniah by that reuerend and iudicious diuine, M.W. Perkins. Containing a powerful exhortation to repentance: as also the manner hovve men in repentance are to search themselues. Published by a preacher of the vvord. With a preface prefixed, touching the publishing of M. Perkins his vvorks. And a catalogue of all such particulars thereof, as are to be expected.
London: printed by T. Creed for William Welby, 1609
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The third point: Who must search? the Jews, who are here termed a Nation, not worthy to be beloved: and yet for all that, they are bid to search themselves, that so upon their repentance, they might be beloved. Where, we may see the unspeakable love of God, and his wonderful mercy, offering grace unto such men, as are altogether unworthy of it. Gods children are by nature like other men, and God finds nothing in them, why to respect them above other: ⟨p. 77⟩but even of his own mercy, makes them worthy, who of themselves are not: therefore how worthy is that God, to have all the love of our harts, who loved us, when we were not worthy to be beloved.
The third point: Who must search? the Iewes, who are here termed a Nation, not worthy to be beloued: and yet for all that, they are bid to search themselues, that so vpon their repentance, they might be beloued. Where, we may see the vnspeakable loue of God, and his wonderfull mercy, offering grace vnto such men, as are altogether vnworthy of it. Gods children are by nature like other men, and God findes nothing in them, why to respect them aboue other: ⟨p. 77⟩but euen of his owne mercy, makes them worthy, who of themselues are not: therefore how worthy is that God, to haue all the loue of our harts, who loued vs, when we were not worthy to be beloued.
But let us examine more particularly, why God doth call the Jews a Nation, not worthy to be beloved: I answer, God had blessed them above other Nations: He gave them his covenant of grace, & thereby made them his people, and committed to their trust, his holy word and Oracles:1 but he dealt not so with other Nations, neither had the heathen knowledge of his laws. Besides all this,2 they had a better land then others about them,